Top image: Johann de Wet, Rudi Liebenberg and Gera de Wet

Rudi Liebenberg, the executive chef at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, is the recipient of this year’s Golden Vine Award, an honour bestowed on a leading South African chef during the De Wetshof Celebration of Chardonnay. The Celebration of Chardonnay is South Africa’s leading showcase for Chardonnay wines, and awarding a chef for his or her contribution to the country’s cuisine is an integral part of the event due to the strong relationship between Chardonnay and culinary excellence.

Before taking over the helm at the Mount Nelson, Rudi’s career has included executive chef positions at the Saxon Boutique Hotel and the Michelangelo Hotel, both in Gauteng. He is also a former principal of the Prue Leith Chefs Academy. In 2012 Rudi was named the Sunday Times Chef of the Year, adding to the numerous local and national culinary awards under his belt.

Despite the successful career, the awards and accolades, Rudi steers clear of the limelight, preferring to perfect his art in the kitchen, managing the team of chefs and cooks working under him and creating a sublime standard of cuisine at the Mount Nelson. Here his creative menus, commitment to fresh and sustainable produce and his uncanny ability to match food and wine have made him – in the eyes of many in the wine world – a true icon of South African cooking.

Awarding the Golden Vine, Johann de Wet, CEO of De Wetshof, said: “De Wetshof has been privileged to collaborate and to be associated with Rudi over the years, mainly being enthralled by his cuisine while he toils in his kitchen. We are this deeply honoured to have Rudi on De Wetshof today to award him with the Golden Vine for his contribution to the South Africa’s wine and food legacy.”

Rudi said he is honoured and humbled by this award. “Since the advent of the Celebration of Chardonnay 14 years ago, the Golden Vine Award has become known as one of the industry’s leading honours. To have it bestowed on at one of the country’s leading wine events is a highlight in my career.”

Previous recipients of the Golden  Vine include Garth Stroebel, Luke Dale-Roberts, Peter Veldsman and Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen.